Internet addiction disorder

Addictions

With the internet being more and more readily available to people of all ages problems are beginning to occur from over use of it, it seems people can become addicted to using the internet. While addiction to the net poses no real serious damage to the health it can cause problems such as:

Becoming increasingly withdrawn

Cause break up or problems in relationships

Lead to problems with depression

Lead to problems with anxiety

Cause problems at work/school if you are online at work or school

Lead to problems of losing sense of reality

Can lead to problems at work/school through late nights online

Increased agitation

Problems with eye sight or the back

What makes the internet so addictive?

The internet is a great way to escape for an hour or so the problems of daily life, probably one of the biggest addictions to the internet are chat rooms or the instant messengers which are widely available.

Chat rooms are available throughout the world and people can choose a nickname and join in conversations anywhere in the world free of charge, when joining a chat room talking is usually done via the keyboard but some also have the ability to talk one on one using the computers microphone.

The popular instant messaging programs available freely, work in a similar way with the option of choosing to have a voice or video conversation which makes the chat just like the two of you are in the same room.

The internet is also a valuable resource for those addicted to gaming; online games can be played with others from all over the world and can often take you into fantasy lands for hours at a time. Internet shopping takes over from when the malls close for those who have spending problems and more and more online casinos are showing up and are open 24/7/365 for those who partake in gambling.

How do you know if someone is addicted?

For many people the internet is merely a way of passing the odd hour or so away but for some it can go deeper, signs that someone is addicted to the internet are:

The person has a strong compulsion to get online

They become moody or irritable when they cannot get online

The internet starts to affect their social life, they stay home more to use the internet

The person stays awake late into the early hours of the morning using the internet

The person lies about the amount of time they spend online

Help for the addiction

As with any addiction admitting there is a problem in the first place is the first big step towards a cure. If addiction to the internet is causing problems in the family then counselling is advisable to unearth the underlying problems which caused the person to turn to the internet in the first place and to help curb the amount of time spent online.